discern

[dih-surn, -zurn] / dɪˈsɜrn, -ˈzɜrn /

VERB

catch sight of; recognize and understand

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate ascertain detect determine differentiate discriminate distinguish divine figure out find out foresee perceive

STRONG

apprehend behold descry discover espy extricate focus judge know note notice observe read remark rubberneck secern separate severalize spot view

WEAK

difference discrepate get a load of get the picture get wise to make distinction make out pick out see the light see through take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

confuse doubt miss mix up overlook

STRONG

forget ignore lose misunderstand neglect

WEAK

disregard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

AI cannot read the news to discern either the meaning of news or the emotions it will likely elicit.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

“We would stay out of the fray, play by the rules, ignore the ludicrous attacks and assume that people would discern the truth.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

I appreciated the restraint exercised by Caleb Eberhardt, who trusted the audience to discern what it needed to discern about Kenneth when he played the role at La Jolla Playhouse.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

"Our eX-GL approach effectively automates the interpretation of complex magnetization reversal process and enables identification of hidden mechanisms, difficult to discern using conventional methods," says Prof. Kotsugi.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

I was able to discern that you are now sleeping in barracks at your new camp instead of tents.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Vocabulary lists containing discern

Things Fall Apart

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Romeo and Juliet

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Grade 10, List 5

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